Panel barriers

Abstract

A panel barrier panel system is provided which employs aesthetically pleasing panels which tend to be brittle, but is able to meet or exceed building codes. The system employs a frame having a vertical member, a horizontal member and connectors extending from members. These connectors employ upper and lower supports for a panel. The lower supports employ protrusion to interact with a lower edge of the panel, to support the weight of the panel, with the upper supports sandwiching the panel for stabilizing it. Since these supports do not rely upon friction and pressure to support and secure the panel, they are less apt to crush or fracture the panels. Connectors are made to be flexible to absorb shock and stress, thereby further protecting the panels.

1 . A panel barrier system comprising: 
 a) a support frame having at least one vertical member and a horizontal member;    b) a panel having a lower edge and a side edge; and    c) at least one support for having at least one protrusion for supporting the lower edge of the panel and the side edge of the panel such that the protrusions hold most of the weight of the panel.    
   
   
       2 . The panel barrier system of  claim 1  wherein the panels are made from a material selected from the following: glass, ceramic, ceramic and glass composite, stone, brick, concrete, and materials which fracture when drilled.  
   
   
       3 . The panel barrier system of  claim 1  wherein the panels are decorative panels made from an aesthetically pleasing material.  
   
   
       4 . The panel barrier system of  claim 1  wherein the panels have a higher coefficient of light transmission in lower lighting settings than in higher lighting settings.  
   
   
       5 . The panel barrier system of  claim 1  wherein the panels are made from a material which may be certified as “bullet proof”.  
   
   
       6 . The panel barrier system of  claim 1  wherein the panel has a shape selected from the group consisting of: 
 triangular, oval, rectangular, regular geometric, and irregular geometric.    
   
   
       7 . A barrier system capable of resisting applied forces comprising: 
 a) a support frame having at least one vertical member and a horizontal member,    b) a protective panel capable of shielding people or objects behind it, having a lower edge and a side edge,    c) at least one support for having at least one protrusion for supporting the lower edge of the panel and the side edge of the panel such that the protrusions carry most of the weight of the panels, and    d) at least one connector, connecting the support to the frame, the connectors having the ability to flex to withstand forces placed upon the system and protects the panels from fracturing.    
   
   
       8 . The panel barrier system of  claim 7  wherein there are a plurality of vertical members on each side of a panel.  
   
   
       9 . The panel barrier system of  claim 7  wherein: the frame includes a horizontal member supported by the at least one vertical member.  
   
   
       10 . The panel barrier system of  claim 7  wherein the horizontal member is a handrail and the system is used as a railing on a stairway.  
   
   
       11 . The panel barrier system of  claim 7  wherein the system is modular, is constructed in sections, is transported in sections, and assembled by connecting the sections to each other at an assembly location.  
   
   
       12 . The panel panel barrier system of  claim 7  wherein the at least one vertical support member is constructed from annealed metal to add to the strength of the vertical support.  
   
   
       13 . A support for supporting and securing a panel having a lower edge and a side edge, comprising: 
 a) an upper support having inner surfaces capable of pressing against and stabilizing the pressure sensitive panel,    b) a lower support having at least one protrusion for supporting the lower edge of the panel such that the protrusions carry most of the weight of the panel, the lower support also having a substantially vertical surface for mating with and stabilizing the side edge of the panel.    
   
   
       14 . The support of  claim 13  wherein the protrusions are shaped to mate with the lower edge of the panel.  
   
   
       15 . The support of  claim 13  wherein the lower support is comprised of a lower outer support and a lower inner support which interact to create an inner clearance which receives the pressure sensitive panel, and interact to press upon and sandwich the panel, but are designed to have at least a minimum clearance between them thereby holding the panel with a desired force.